New Zealand’s towering mountains, temperate rainforests and remote river valleys all fueled Sir Peter Jackson’s creative spirit when he was crafting (精心制作) the well-known films The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies. Let’s explore New Zealand, the real Middle-earth.

Start in Hobbiton

The journey starts from the exciting urban center of Auckland to Matamata—the home of the Hobbiton Movie Set. Your knowledgeable guide will help you fully understand the history and the on-location filming processes around The Shire.

Journey to Mordor

Experience wilderness in Tongariro National Park—an area known for its mountainous, desolate (荒凉的) beauty. This region was used as the location for some of the filming of Mordor in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Stand among the greenest of forests

Dewy (带露水的) scenery and natural spectacles (壮观的景象) are New Zealand’s biggest draw-cards and a sure reason why the country was chosen as the home of Middle-earth. Explore this magical world of tall trees, clear rivers and sweet bird songs on a short walk or famous multi-day hike. From Cape Reinga all the way down to Bluff there are national parks covering the country.

Discover Earnslaw Burn and the Misty Mountains Pathway

One of the most magical locations in The Hobbit trilogy is Earnslaw Burn. Here you will find sheer (陡峭的) walls of granite (花岗岩) rising 800 meters from the basin floor, and a glacier (冰川) creating a number of waterfalls from its meltwater that spill down from the cliff-tops.

The Biggest National Parks on Continents

North America

Covering nearly half of the world’s largest island, Northeast Greenland National Park is currently the globe’s single largest national park and biggest land-based protected area. It covers 972,000 square kilometers. The vast Greenland Ice Sheet makes up most of the park, but there’s also a long coastline that is home to musk oxen, polar bears and many other Arctic creatures.

Oceania

Covering 36,000 square kilometers, the Munga-Thirri-Simpson Desert National Park was set up in2021 to protect the beautiful desert landscapes of far northern South Australia. It includes one of the world’s largest dune (沙丘) fields. As well as more than 150 bird species, the park provides a habitat for many animals.

Asia

Founded in 2021, China’s Sanjiangyuan National Park is now the largest in Asia, covering 123,100square kilometers of snow-covered Qinghai-Tibet Plateau that provides the headwaters of the Yangtze, Yellow and Lantsang rivers. Rough and remote, the highlands harbor a range of rare, endangered animal species. The park also includes cultural sites.

Africa

Some of the world’s highest and biggest sand dunes are the centerpiece of western Namibia’s Namib-Naukluft National Park, Africa’s largest at 49,768 square kilometers. Easy to explore with your own vehicle, the main park road leads to the vibrant Sossusvlei dunes and photogenic Dead Vlei with its ghostly forest. Hot-air balloon flights offer a bird’s-eye view of the whole park. It is also known for plants and animals that have adapted to one of the Earth’s driest places.

Absorbed in this national park, you will always experience the excitement and adventure here. While the geographic attractions that draw visitors to Jasper National Park will always remain, how travelers can feel unique and diverse scenery?

Maligne Lake

Duration: 4 hours to Half Day

The second-largest glacier-fed lake in the world, Maligne Lake fascinates travelers with its brilliant turquoise waters and stunning skylines. Tourists can visit the Spirit Island, which is one of the most famous views of the Canadian Rockies. Past visitors recommended bringing a camera to capture photos of the beautiful scenery.

Athabasca Glacier

Duration: Half Day to Full Day

This glacier is part of the massive Columbia icefield, which divides southern Jasper and northern Banff. Although hiking trails and guided tours allow visitors lo get near the edge of the glacier, officials do not recommend making the trek because tourists have died due to hidden crevasses in the past.

Lake Annette

Duration: 6 hours to Half Day

Situated across the Athabasca River, Lake Annette is a great spot for a leisurely outing or a full-fledged adventure. Travelers can spend a day picnicking, grilling, and hiking the various trails. Recent travelers also recommended packing a camera for snapping photos along the area's primary hiking trail.

Athbabasca Falls

Duration: 1 to 2 hours

Close to the Icefields Parkway and about 20 miles south of downtown Jasper, this is an easy option for travelers searching for a stress-free hiking. Recent visitors described the Athbabasca Falls as a Falls as a must-see spot in Jasper National Park and suggest spending time viewing the falls from all of the available advantaged points.